Misguided: My summer in Greek tourism

by Ruard Wallis de Vries

He thought that his brand new degree would open the door to a posh job in Athens, but his depleted bank account had other plans. Before he knew it, Ruard became a holiday rep for a small Greek tour operator. What followed was an eventful summer of dodgy travel agents, noisy hotels, demanding customers, undercover guiding by not-so-official tour guides and coaches that were way too small (or way too big).

This is the gripping and often hilarious account of The Prince (a.k.a. The Snake), the “self-taught-the-hard-way” Mr. Mangas, the beautiful Kali and the dramatic Helena. Even Woody Allen makes a guest appearance! They are all supporting characters in the heart-warming story of a long hot summer set against the backdrop of the sunny skies, the deep blue sea and some of the most gorgeous locations in Greece.

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2022

Reviews

[Leonor Neves Wiesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sense of humor! Easy going and funny literature, to be read at any moment!

[David Ketelsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is your typical Dutch kid falls in love with Greek girl in college and follows her home to Athens and then needs to get a job story. This takes place 30 years ago so the author is looking back on events in the Greek hospitality business of the early 1990s, more specifically several small time operators and how they hustled tourists and their employees to make the drachmas flow. It's a fun slice of life of a 22 year old trying to get by in a foreign country. It's short and ends on an ambiguous note, but I liked it a lot.

[Stan Van Haasteren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! Very funny book full of anecdotes of a man who works as a tour guide on a Greek island in the early 90s. Very entertaining. He feels stuck between the Greek Balkan attitude (improvisation, corruption, pride) and the Northern European demands (punctuality, comfort, efficiency). Especially the part about The Serpent (a tour operator on Chios island) is great. Recommended for anyone who is looking for something to read on the Greek beaches this summer. And anyone who likes reading a funny book.